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Thursday’s World Cup Matches to Have Messaging Denouncing Hate Speech
FIFA says it has removed 388,000 abusive posts since June 11 as captains exchange anti-hate pennants in four World Cup matches.
On Thursday, teams playing in four World Cup matches will exchange special pennants denouncing discrimination to mark the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, FIFA officials announced.
FIFA's automated social media protection service has deleted 388,000 harmful posts since June 11, already eclipsing the 287,000 removals recorded during the entirety of the 2022 World Cup.
Captains in the Czech Republic-South Africa, Mexico-South Korea, Switzerland-Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Canada-Qatar matches will exchange pennants bearing "We Play Together. We Stand Against Hate," written in English and the teams' native languages.
Beyond the pre-match exchange, organisers confirmed that additional anti-discrimination campaigns and stadium activations are scheduled throughout Thursday's match schedule to further denounce hate speech.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport recently upheld FIFA fines against the Mexican Football Federation regarding homophobic fan chants reported in summer 2024, adding legal weight to anti-discrimination efforts.